Faking It

1. Father's will

The girl sprinted across the garden, her laughter mingling with the excited barks of the family dogs.

She dodged and weaved between the rose bushes and meticulously trimmed hedges, her hair a wild cascade behind her.

The sun was beginning its descent, casting a golden glow over the estate and making the moment feel almost magical. She bent down to scoop up one of the smaller dogs, twirling around with it in her arms.

"Gotcha!" she giggled, hugging the squirming puppy tightly.

The guards posted around the perimeter watched her with a mix of amusement and duty-bound vigilance. They were accustomed to her antics, and they knew better than to interrupt her rare moments of joy.

She was about to dart toward the fountain when a sharp voice cut through the serene evening.

"Jisoo!" She froze, her heart sinking.

She turned slowly to see her mother standing on the patio, her expression one of disapproval.

"Mother," Jisoo said, setting the dog down gently.

Her mother, impeccably dressed and perfectly poised, strode over with a look that could curdle milk. "What do you think you're doing? This is not how a lady behaves. Look at you—dirty and disheveled. It’s disgraceful."

Jisoo glanced down at her muddied dress and dirt-smeared hands. "I was just playing with the dogs, Mother. They love it when—"

Her mother raised a hand, silencing her. "I don't want to hear excuses. You’re a Kim, and I expect you to present yourself accordingly. You are to clean up immediately and be ready for dinner. No daughter of mine will show up looking like a common street urchin."

Jisoo swallowed hard, her earlier joy evaporating. "Yes, Mother."

Without another word, her mother turned and walked back into the mansion, leaving Jisoo standing alone in the garden. She watched her mother’s retreating figure, a frown settling on her face. The dogs whined softly, sensing her distress.

With a sigh, Jisoo turned and headed back inside, her steps slower and heavier. She made her way to her room where her best friends and maids, Jennie and Lisa, were waiting.

"What happened to you?" Jennie asked, raising an eyebrow at Jisoo’s appearance.

Jisoo flopped onto a chair, kicking off her muddy shoes. "Mother happened. She caught me playing with the dogs again and gave me the usual lecture about how it's unladylike and disgraceful."

Lisa handed her a wet towel, and Jisoo began to wipe the dirt from her hands. "You’d think she’d be happy seeing you enjoy yourself for once," Lisa said with a shake of her head.

Jisoo smiled weakly. "You know her better than that. Anyway, I need to clean up and get ready for dinner. She’ll probably have a fit if I’m late."

Jennie and Lisa helped Jisoo change into a fresh dress, their practiced hands working swiftly to brush her hair and make her presentable. They chatted lightly, trying to lift her spirits.

"Just imagine," Jennie said, pinning the last strand of hair in place, "one day you’ll have your own place, and you can play with all the dogs you want."

Jisoo managed a small smile. "One day."

With a final glance in the mirror, Jisoo took a deep breath and made her way to the dining room. Her family was already seated, her siblings talking animatedly about their jobs and marriages. She took her seat quietly, trying to blend into the background.

"Ah, Jisoo," her father said, looking up as she entered. "Nice of you to join us."

"Thank you, Father," Jisoo replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Her siblings exchanged looks, their conversation shifting to gloat about their latest achievements. Something Jisoo hated the most.

"Father, I've recently gotten a promotion at the hospital!" Her brother animatedly said, he was the second oldest.

The one that is the doctor.

"Father, the honeymoon you and mother gave me and my husband was amazing!" Her sister said, a proud smile present on her face.

The one that is the fashion designer.

"Father, I've actually got to finish my big case. It turns out you were right." Her other sister adds.

Right, The lawyer one.

"That's wonderful to hear kiddos!" He smiles wide, his eyes casting over to Jisoo. "Jisoo?"

"I actually-"

"Oh dear, she was playing outside with those dogs again." Her mother says, "very unlady like of her."

Jisoo kept her mouth shut, her eyes lowered down to her plate. She wanted to leave. She'd rather be with those dogs than her own family.

"Children." Her father spoke up, "I'm glad we are having dinner as a family once again. But that's not why I called you all here."

"What is it father?" The eldest sister asked.

"As you know, I'm not doing well. My body is slowly giving up day by day and I finally wrote my will. All of you will be in it except Jisoo."

"What!?" Jisoo yelled out, "Why?!"

"Because you're the college drop out?" Her middle sister remarked.

"You don't work." Her brother adds.

"You're not even in a relationship." Her oldest sister says.

"Jisoo, you're siblings are here making a change and are married. They're right, you're not married nor-"

"I'm actually engaged." Jisoo crosses her arms looking at her father.

"WHAT?!" Her family looked at her astonished.

"Honey! How come you haven't mentioned it?!"

"Oh please, she's probably making it up!" Her eldest sister looked at her mother, "it's Jisoo after all."

"Actually my fiancee and I agreed that we'd wait until father got better." Jisoo adds, "but that's unfortunately not happening."

"We have to meet her!" Her mother clasps her hands together, "we'll hold a ball for your engagement!"

"What?" Jisoo looked at her shocked.

"We will host a ball to meet your fiancee!"

"Or are you just making her up?" Her brother asked.

"She'll be there!" Jisoo slammed her hands down, standing up from her chair.

"She'll be there and you'll see her for your own eyes!"